El nino is here in the Philippines, although this is a natural phenomenon that comes every nine years, but recently climate change has frequented its visit to the country. It is almost two months that there is no rain. The soil is becoming drier and drier as the days passed without rain. Many farmers are anxious when the rain will come. According to the PAGASA forecast theier will be rain starting March but it is below normal, but that is fine compared to no rain at all.
So What is El Nino Phenomenon?
El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) refers to the ocean component (El Nino) and the atmospheric component (Southern Oscillation) of a naturally occurring phenomenon that originates in the Pacific Ocean. El Nino is the unusual warming of the ocean surface in the central and east central equatorial pacific. It is strongly linked to the negative phase of the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI). However, El Nino could also bring rains.
How will El Nino impact the Philippines?
Rain will b very scarse during the first quarter of 2019: January, February and March. The region that will be heavily affected will be the Cordillera and some in the western and northern Mindanao.
Currently the effects of El Nino is already felt by some areas in Mindanao like the villages of Mlang, North Cotabato province. They are already experiencing the mild effect of drought as severe temperature since mid-December dried up their irrigation canals. In Zamboanga city, the water level of their infiltration plant has reduced significantly. The reduction of water level has resulted to a lower water supply, leading to no water supply in some hours of the day.
In the previous years, 2015 and 2016 El Nino damaged a total of 15.2 billion crop production loss. Around 400,000 farmers in 57 provinces and two cities were hardly-hit by the impact of the phenomenon. It has brought drought in Mindanao with agriculture damages amounting to almost 12.8 billion pesos for the first quarter of 2016. More than 395,000 ha and 295,000 farmers were during this phenomenon. The said drought also led to a violent protest of farmers from Kidapawan, North Cotabato. That resulted to the death of three farmers and injured almost a hundred of other protesters. The Mt. Apo natural forest park was razed by forest fire and a total of 350 hectares of forest was put into ashes. It Damages the habitat of the different flora and fauna inhabiting the mountain.
The PAGASA has released its climate outlook for 2019. This is to warn the Filipinos of the different weather possibilities of experience in the year. Hence, filipinos can make a wise dicissions.
How to survive during El Nino?
There are some things that we must have during this El nino. This is to lessen the effects and protect our selves and the people we love.
1. Lip Balm
This is to avoid chapped lips, caused by dehydration.
2. Water Bottle
Always carry with you, a water bottle. Bcause as the weather becomes hotter and hotter, many experiences heat stroke. Its better to have a hand carry water, than waiting to be home to drink some water.
Although mosquito love a humid and moist environment which is rare during dry season, however, the transmission of the virus during high temperature might have an effect for a stronger dengue strain. So protect yourself ahead of time.
4. Umbrella
The heat is very intense that even the morning sun already hurts. So carry with you your umbrella.
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